Quiet, McExam In Progress

The fast food giant has been given the right to offer qualifications by the government's exams watchdog.

From January 2008, McDonald's will pilot what it is calling a basic shift manager's course.

The course will cover everything the 7,000 managers of McDonald's outlets across the country need to know about the day-to-day running of a restaurant.

This ranges from basic operational requirements, to finances, marketing and human resources.

The difference is that the learning on this course will be divided up into credits - in line with national guidance from the exams watchdog the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.